Humor in the Bible

For those who think the Bible is boring and lacks humor, here is a paper on: Humor in the Bible It appeared in the “International Journal of Humor Research”

A couple examples:

We also learn much about the character of the Israelites from their way of asking Moses for help seven days after their triumphant exodus from Egypt. They saw Pharaoh’s army approaching behind them, and all that loomed ahead was the sea. The nascent Jewish nation asked Moses (Exodus 14:11): “Was there a lack of graves in Egypt, that you took us away to die in the wilderness?” This impudent remark made when all seemed hopeless for the Israelites sheds much light on their character. It would seem that humility and prayer might have been a more appropriate response in a time of great danger than sarcasm.

and

When David found out that King Saul wished to kill him, he fled from Israel and went to Gath. Fearful that Achish, King of Gath, would have him killed, David pretended to be insane. David scribbled on the doors of the gates and allowed saliva to dribble down into his beard…

and

Many view the entire book of Jonah as a parody…Jonah was sent by God to announce to the residents of Nineveh (capital of Assyria) its imminent destruction by the Lord. Jonah, unlike other prophets, refused to go and even tried to flee from God by taking a ship from Jaffa to Tarshish…Jonah was the reluctant prophet, unlike other prophets such as Jeremiah and Isaiah. His entire reluctant prophecy consisted of but five Hebrew words (Jonah 3:4): “In another forty days Nineveh shall be overturned.” This prophecy had its desired effect and the people of Nineveh proclaimed a fast, and even the cattle and sheep were made to fast. The reluctant Jonah accomplished in five words what numerous eloquent prophets could not accomplish in thousands of words, and all this without even trying.

Enough quoting from this professor’s paper, if you’re interested in more examples, go follow the link.